WHO would have thought that a company conceptualized and initially formed in Manila and owned by a billionaire also from Manila would turn out to be more Ilonggo – in fact a much better Ilonggo – than a company that used to brag and claim to be born and bred in “I Am Iloilo City”?
As “I Am Iloilo City” Mayor Jerry Treñas said, “MORE Power is more than just a distribution utility but a partner in the city’s development.”
Two years and a week ago, on Feb. 28, 2020, MORE Power effectively took control over the General Luna Street Substation, in accordance with the Writ of Possession as well as with the Addendum to the Writ of Possession issued by the Honorable Judge Emerald K. Requina-Contreras. MORE Power deployed personnel to man and oversee the General Luna Street Substation, Meter Lab, Power Plant Building, and Switchboard House.
Since then, MORE Electric and Power Corporation or MORE Power a.k.a. Nong Moroy, took just two years to turn an ageing, dilapidated and critically hazardous power distribution network into an up-to-date (not yet state-of-the-art but they’ll get there) efficient power distribution network, establish a good working public relations/customer service for the natives and seriously run after electric jumpers or ilegalistas.
Brownouts or power interruptions have been reduced to a minimal level and if they do occur, power is almost immediately switched on because of Automatic Circuit Reclosers.
I’m not even going to elaborate that in less than 24 hours after the wrath of Typhoon Odette, 97% of power was back in the city.
By the way, after almost 100 years, PECO a.k.a. Don Pecoy, erstwhile power distribution utility of “I Am Iloilo City”, failed to achieve even a semblance of any of the above.
Of course, the biggest and most felt achievement is that MORE Power was able to bring down the power rate of Iloilo City to just P6.38 per kHw, not only the lowest electricity rate in the country but as an added bonus 100% sourced from renewable energy.
Now every other local government unit in Iloilo Province wants MORE Power’s franchise extended to include them too but that’s another story.
In its first two years, MORE Power has participated in planting trees and mangroves, and releasing of fingerlings and juvenile fishes to enliven the Iloilo River. The distribution utility has also adopted an entire mangrove park and supported a city-wide urban gardening, including sponsoring a “Bike Fun Ride for a Cause” wherein 100% of the proceeds were donated to buy plant pots for the city’s bike lanes.
On Feb. 28, 2022, MORE Power once again released a total of 730 juvenile fishes in the Iloilo River, equivalent to the number of days that the distribution utility has been operating in the Iloilo City franchise area and serving the Ilonggos.
According to MORE Power:
“Through this, we aim to help in restoring the ecological balance of the river and its fish variety. Releasing fingerlings in the Iloilo River can contribute greatly to the sustainable production of fish in the area and help the local fisher folk with their livelihood which is in line with our goal of creating a sustainable supply of aquatic food for the Ilonggos.”
And we give the final words to Nong Moroy:
It has been two years since we started serving this wonderful city. During this time, we have helped communities, energized homes, and empowered advocates in the city. And now, we want to celebrate our 3rd anniversary by giving back to our planet.
Our green initiatives and sustainability efforts aim to help our environment: from mangrove and tree planting, to releasing fingerlings, and even urban gardening, we want to play our part in making the planet a better place for the future generation.
Each action we make today brings us closer to a greener tomorrow.
With MORE power comes great sustainability!
It is these acts of kindness and giving back to the community that goes beyond providing power and light to the city and the natives that endears a company. Indeed MORE Power is more than just a power distribution utility but a partner in “I Am Iloilo City’s” development./PN
